Jeremy Todd Rios

Media Release

Hawaiʻi Island police are searching for a Hilo man wanted in a reported carjacking.

At 7:40 a.m., South Hilo patrol officers responded to reports of a man flashing a firearm from a black Honda sedan while driving on Kinoʻole Street. Responding officers spotted the car in a parking lot on Kinoʻole Street near Kahaopea Street.

The car sped off onto Kinoʻole Street in the Hāmākua direction and turned right on Ohea Street, broadsiding a pickup truck at the intersection of Ohea Street and Kīlauea Avenue. He then exited the black Honda and stole a white Honda from a woman who was stopped in traffic because of the collision. The woman was not injured.

The suspect then drove away in the stolen Honda after striking another vehicle in traffic.

The suspect has been identified as 32-year-old Jeremy Todd Rios of Hilo. He is described as 5-foot-7, 170 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes and numerous tattoos, including one on his throat/neck area depicting brass knuckles. He may be in possession of a firearm.

The stolen car is described as a white 2007 Honda Accord, license plate HHN 082, with front-end damage. It was last seen on Saddle Road in the vicinity of Mauna Kea Access Road.

Police ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rios or the stolen Honda to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.